The United States has imposed a 12.5% tariff on imports from Nigeria as part of a new trade measure targeting nations that fail to restrict goods produced with forced labour.
The levy affects imports from 60 economies that Washington accuses of failing to enforce effective bans on goods made through forced labor.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced the proposal on Thursday in a statement posted on its website.
Nigeria faces the 12.5% duty alongside other targeted nations, whereas India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom will pay a reduced 10% levy after adopting or pledging to enforce bans on forced-labor imports.
The decision stems from the USTR’s May 2026 investigation into 60 major U.S. trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
The agency evaluated over 1,600 written submissions, conducted public hearings with more than 100 witnesses, and consulted with over 45 foreign governments before enacting the levies.
“10 percent is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duties for investigated economies that (i) impose a forced labor import prohibition; (ii) have committed to impose and enforce such a prohibition through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade; or (iii) have imposed a partial regime with the effect of preventing the importation of certain forced labor goods.
“These economies are: Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
“10 percent or 12.5 percent, net of Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate, is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duties for certain products of the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland that are not otherwise exempted, as explained in greater detail in the Federal Register Notice.”
Additionally, it added “12.5 percent is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duty for all other investigated economies.”
Nigeria’s 12.5% Tariff
Specifically, a Federal Register notification obtained from the USTR on Friday said that Nigeria will face a 12.5% tariff tax on its imports, with the exception of items listed under defined exemptions.
It read, “Based on the findings in the investigation of Nigeria, considering the public comments, testimony, and the advice of the Section 301 Committee, as well as the advice of advisory committees, and in accordance with the specific direction of the President, the Trade Representative has determined to impose 12.5 percent tariffs on products of Nigeria, except as provided in Annex I and Annex II, Part A, of this Notice.
“The Trade Representative has determined, in accordance with the specific direction of the President, that the tariff rate to be applied, and the scope of tariffs and exemptions, are appropriate to obtain the elimination of the acts, policies, and practices determined to be actionable in the investigation.”
Backstory…
This latest action comes following President Donald Trump’s use of Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act to levy temporary universal tariffs on incoming goods, a move triggered when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his broader tariff strategy under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized that the measures aim to push international commercial partners toward enforcing stricter anti-forced labor regulations.
The USTR however noted that several product categories will remain exempt from the 12.5% tariff levies. Exclusions cover critical raw materials that might trigger domestic shortages, items that risk wider market instability, and products lacking sufficient local or alternative supply. Additionally, specific goods from nations that have enacted or promised strict forced-labor import bans will be spared.
The trade office added that extra waivers apply wherever new duties would prove ineffective at dismantling the unlawful labor practices under review.
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